Hey gang!
DANNY BONADUCE tweeted this pic, along with a great comment about the book!
Read his tweet: "Just received my copy of a great new book about The Partridge Family. It's 467 pages. I had no idea we were this important."
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER, EVERYONE! TWEET, RE-TWEET AND SPREAD THE NEWS!!! :) Come on get REALLY happy!!!
Hey All! HAPPY NEW YEAR! And we're off and running...The next book signing for "When We're Singin' " will be held this weekend, Saturday, January 7, from 10AM to 2PM at Branch Street Coffee in Boardman! Hope to see some of you from the Youngstown and Columbiana County area! :) Exact Address: BRANCH STREET COFFEE ROASTERS, 1393 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, OH, 44512.
Don't miss my guest appearance tonight (Saturday, Dec 17th) at 6PM on 90.1 FM WUSB! It's a special Christmas radio broadcast of The Partridge Family and The Carpenters Christmas music! You can link to it at: http://wusb.fm/
HERE'S THE PROMO FROM WUSB:
Captain Rockit's Time Machine brings you the holiday event of the season. It's a Christmas Special featuring 2 of the most popular artists of all time, The Carpenters and The Partridge Family. Returning to the WUSB airwaves for this special event will be authors Johnny Ray Miller and Randy L. Schmidt. Johnny Ray Miller's book on the Partridge Family "When We're Singin' is being released just in time for this holiday season. And so is David Cassidy's new Christmas EP! Johnny will update us on the release of the book and the holiday music of both David Cassidy and The Partridge Family! Randy L. Schmidt is the author of "Little Girl Blue" The Karen Carpenter Story, as well as other books. He will be with us to tell us about his latest endeavors as well as offer his expert opinions of The Carpenters holiday music. So if you want to hear a Christmas Special like they used to be, please tune in December 17th at 6 PM Eastern for "An Old Fashioned Christmas", only on 90.1 FM WUSB and WUSB.FM streaming live on the internet worldwide.
Our very first book signing is scheduled at PEABERRY'S CAFE next Saturday! Hey Ohio/PA friends...hope to see some of you at Peaberry's in Canfield, OH, next Saturday, December 10, from 10AM-2PM. Full address: 4350 Boardman-Canfield Road, Canfield, OH 44406!
We're off to print!
After a long week of Kristina, Donna and I working nearly round the clock, the book went to print earlier today!
I'd like to thank all of you for your extraordinary patience. I, too, never dreamed how much time it would take for this project to complete, but I can tell you this: It is because of YOU, the fans, that this book has finally made it's way to reality. Because of YOU, the book was controlled by a group of professionals who care enough to release the best possible book on The Partridge Family and their music, filled with the kinds of detailed information fans have wanted for years and years.
Check out the final artwork for the book cover!
The 64 page color photo section is also another extraordinary accomplishment. Rarely does a book like this see a full color section in the middle, let alone 64 pages! But YOU wanted it, and YOU funded it and that is testament to the passion we all share for the music of The Partridge Family.
I am thankful that avenues such as Kickstarter exist today, making it possible for all of us to speak, and to act on what we want. There is no publisher on the planet who would have released a book as thorough and elaborate as this, and it all happened because of you.
In the coming days and weeks, I will be here, telling you more about the book and its contents. I thank you again, wholeheartedly, for your support, your patience, and most of all, your undying love for all things Partridge!
RELEASE DATE:
On December 9, 2016, "When We're Singin' - The Partridge Family & Their Music" will be officially released! The book (originally planned for 410 pages) is a whopping 504 pages with the 64-page color photo section taking it to a grand total of 568 pages!
"When We're Singin'" is a LIMITED EDITION hard back, available exclusively through the website, WhenWereSingin.com. "You can pre-order When We're Singin'" in time for Christmas by going to the link on the website now!
Be sure to sign up for the "daily blog" to receive updates that will come directly to your email inbox! I will be back to share more information and exciting details during the days and weeks to come!
Hop on the bus, everyone! It's time to move on to the next stop!
Hi gang!
Wanted to let you all know that Kristina has finished the first proof for layout of the book body. I received the proof and I have already gone through it and passed it on to Donna. (copy editor). Once Donna is finished, it will then return back to Kristina. She will make all edits/corrections and then provide us with a second proof to look over. If all goes well, at that point, it goes to print. For fun, check out the picture of Kristina working on the book at her office!
I will be back with all of you as I share the step by step process of these final stages! By the way, happy anniversary, all of you! (Did you know yesterday was the debut of The Partridge Family, 46 years ago?) Yep...we're THAT old!
Countdown....6....
Hi gang,
Just a quick update for you.
The text and final artwork for the book cover is currently in the layout stages. Kristina Danklef of Sourballpython Studios (Sourballpython.com) will be taking the book through the final stages of layout, including the final design for the book cover.
Kristina is from Salem, Ohio, and has a long background in graphic art. She recently completed work on several books, including "Wisdom from the Woods, Seasons," and she has taken on our Partridge Family book with tremendous excitement.
David Cassidy in Melbourne, March 10, 1974. (this is not the book cover...just a photo for your enjoyment!)
First thing on deck is the book cover, and she will be sending me proofs to look at in the coming days. I am as excited as you are, and as soon as I get the first proof, I'll be back with all of you to fill you in!
For now...we countdown to NINE!
Johnny
Hi everyone!!
The 64-page color photo section is done and will be going to the print sometime next week! (The photo section goes to print separately from the text section, which will be ready in a few more weeks!)
In the meantime, I have sent out a survey form to all of my individual backers. This feature is only offered as a one-time feature through Kickstarter. It allows me to get your shipping address and your name, as you would like it to appear in print and on the website. I have saved the survey until now, knowing I can only do it once, because I wanted to send it out as close to the print date as possible. You should be getting it about the same time you receive this update!
Once the text section is sent to print I can announce an exact release date, which will be approximately five weeks following the printing process because the book is being printed in the U.S.A., (as opposed to 4 months delivery time if it were printed in China or anywhere overseas).
I know it has been a long wait for all of you, but I hope the added work on the book will prove worth the wait! I appreciate each and every one of you and all the support you have given me through this past year. Not just for the backing, but for all the kind emails and words of enthusiasm that you have sent as well!
More big news coming soon! Time to get back on the bus! :)
Johnny Ray Miller
Hi All!
I wanted to get a note out to everyone and fill you in on the book's progress as we head into the spring.
As most of you know, we exceeded our Kickstarter goal by 15%, and we promised that we would expand on the photo section with the extra money. So in the fall, we began work on the photo layout, which went from 48 pages to 64--all color. There was a lot of interest from fans to include the most comprehensive photo section of Partridge Family memorabilia that we could find, so we literally contacted people from all over the world in search of rare items. The end result is a photo section that will have more images of the rarest of collectibles than anyone has ever seen--many of which have never appeared in print. But this has taken a lot of extra time. Not only did we have to locate the memorabilia, but we had to get multiple photographs of everything so we could have the best possible photos to work with. All in all, there are over 400 individual images that will make up the entire photo section!
As of this week, we are nearing the end of the work on the photo section, and the rest of it will be editing. The book is about halfway through editing at this point. I am hoping that in the coming few weeks I will be able to announce an exact release date.
Thanks, everyone, for your understanding and patience. Rest assured that you have some very talented professionals who are in charge of the editing and the layout, and they are both working daily to get the book out to you as fast as possible.
As the weeks go forward, you will be getting updates from me more frequently as we approach our "go to print" date. Once the book goes to print, it will be approximately six week after that when we have them in hand to mail out to you.
I thank you again for your patience and your support, and I'll be back with you very soon!
Johnny
After the sudden and shocking passing of Suzanne Crough, TV brother Brian Forster, agreed to write a very special dedication to her as an exclusive piece for "When We’re Singin.’" The tribute will be included in the book, and it is one of the most heartfelt passages you will ever read from anyone who was ever involved with The Partridge Family.
Suzanne and Brian were very good friends from the time of their youth to the day she passed away. They played together on the set as children, and they attended countless Partridge Family events and reunions as adults through the years. Thanks, Brian, for your generous and heartfelt contribution to "When We’re Singin.’"
During the Kickstarter campaign, it was Debbie Daum of Indiana that claimed the grand prize, a mini Fender Stratocaster signed by the three great Wrecking Crew musicians: guitarist Dennis Budimir, and bass players Max Bennett and Joe Osborn. These three musicians played on the Partridge Family albums, and all three of their signatures on this guitar make it one of a kind, and an extremely valuable item.
The guitar sports the "When We're Singin'" logo, created by graphic designer Kirk Poffenberger of the Design Studio in Salem, Ohio. The sharp colors and crisp lines were created with the use of vinyl art techniques.
This past weekend, Debbie met with us, along with a few other local backers, and picked up her prize! Thanks, Debbie, for believing in the book, for getting behind it in such a grand way, and for the great new friendship that we have forged through this process.
A giant, heartfelt, and long overdue thank you to my buddy Jason Snyder, who has been on board with this book from the very beginning.
Jason is the guy with the bionic ear, who has helped me interpret countless pieces of audio transcript when my ears could not distinguish exactly what was said. Jason and those amazing ears cleared up dozens of details that otherwise would have been lost in transcript. In addition, he was able to help isolate various lyrics in the songs that have been written incorrectly on most lyric sites, and even liner notes from as far back as the ‘70s.
Jason especially worked countless hours on the transcription of material making this one of the smoothest processes of all the various stages in putting together this book. I can’t tell you all how grateful I am to have this man on the team, and for all the crazy amount of time and work he has put into making this happen.
Thank you so very much, Jason! I couldn’t have done it without you!
We officially declare the next 7 days Partridge Family week! Come join us for some retro-'70s fun as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Partridge Family! On September 25, 1970 we met the Partridges on ABC Friday nights at 8:30 pm.
David Cassidy burst out of the gate as an international superstar. "I Think I Love You" was already climbing the charts when the show premiered, moving faster and faster towards the No. 1 position!
Pull out your DVD's and CD's and relive some 1970s grooviness as we get ready to launch the release of "When We're Singin' - The Partridge Family and Their Music" in just a few short months! http://www.whenweresingin.com/pre-order-the-book-1/
I hope you will all join us on WUSB.FM Radio, tonight between 6-10PM for non-stop Partridge Family music, trivia on the songs and the songwriters, and a special guest appearance by Brian Forster!
The Radio show, Captain Rockits Time Machine, hosted by DJ Roger Passero has been expanded from the usual 2-hours to 4 hours based on the overwhelming interest in The Partridge Family music! What a way to celebrate the 45th Anniversary! http://wusb.fm/
Brian Forster will be making an appearance on WUSB.FM Radio to help promote "When We're Singin'" and celebrate the 45th Anniversary of The Partridge Family! The show is scheduled for this Thursday from 6-10PM! You can sign up or simply tune in! Hope to see you all!
Stay tuned! More updates coming soon! http://wusb.fm/
Hey gang! It's official! "When We're Singin' - The Partridge Family and their Music" is now available for pre-order ONLY through this site!
The cost of the book is $29.99 and you can pre-order it by going to the new link on the site, PRE-ORDER THE BOOK.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! We will have more news and updates on the book's progress in the coming weeks! Watch for regular blog postings as we go forward. If you haven't already done so, please sign up for the daily BLOG and you will receive the blogs directly to your email!
The Partridge Family and their famous Mondrian-inspired bus!
More to come as it unfolds....
As we get ready for the next part of our ride, I would like to express my deepest gratitude once again, to you, my backers, who collectively decided this book must come to the shelves. Thank you so very much.
Plans for the Kickstarter campaign began over a year ago, and I’d also like to thank some of the behind-the-scenes people who worked with full energy and commitment to make this campaign succeed.
Let’s start with my good friend and incredible talent, writer/musician Ken Sharp. The Kickstarter campaign was Ken’s idea and he kept me grounded and focused. Thank you, Ken, a thousand times over.
Ken was introduced to me by Barbara Pazmino, President of the U.S. division of the “Just David” Fan Club who knew of the "Partridge Connection" we shared. Thanks Barbara, for recognizing the potential, for connecting us, and for spreading the word about this campaign every day.
From the very early stages of planning, Kirk Poffenberger sat with me in his office at The Design Studio and said “let’s do it.” Kirk is the guy who designed the book jacket and all the variations of its “look” used on many of the items—the denim patch, the sticker pack, the book marks, the lyric sheets, the website and most notably the guitar—our grand prize. Thank you, Kirk!
Speaking of which, I’d like to announce Debbie Daum as the grand prize taker! Debbie grabbed the guitar towards the final days of the campaign and pushed our numbers wildly up! We will be featuring a photo of Debbie with the guitar in the coming months. The guitar, a Squier by Fender, is signed by 3 of the greatest session guitar players of all time. Thanks, Debbie, for hopping on the bus and landing with a splash! Which brings me to….
…the very special thanks I have to all the artists, producers, actors and executives associated with The Partridge Family TV show and albums who so graciously signed countless pieces of memorabilia for this campaign. Each and every one of them truly wanted to see this campaign succeed. Beverly Weinstein, Bob Claver, Mike Appel, L. Russell Brown, Ken Jacobson, David Price, Bobby Hart, Diane Hildebrand, Jeremy Gelbwaks, Brian Forster, Terry Cashman, Steve Dossick, Marty Kaniger, Dan Peyton, Glen Hanson, Joe Osborn, Hal Blaine, Max Bennett, Dennis Budimir, John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Jackie Ward, Ron Hicklin, and the great Henry Diltz--Thank you all so very, very much. Your generosity was over-flowing.
Tim DeBacco--Pittsburgh boy, and Partridge Family Fan! Tim is responsible for the website you see, and the ease by which it can be navigated. He spent countless hours working on this, and continues to keep it maintained. He also designed the newsletter. Thank you, Tim, from the depths of the Partridge Family garage!
Mary Hertweck, Stacy Jo Coffee-Thorne and Mary Lou Nelson-- who relentlessly kept the campaign alive on all the David Cassidy and Partridge Family fan sites with their time and enthusiasm. Thank you all so very much.
Tina Funk-- my dear friend in Germany who runs the other half of the “Just David” Fan Club for the German and European fans, also continued to pass around the information I sent each day, along with Barbara. Thank you, Tina, for all the heart.
Jane Reaburn-- All the way from Australia, Jane manages David Cassidy’s Official website and Facebook page. Jane had those offers and posts up on David’s Facebook page faster than lighting! Thanks Jane, so very, very much!
Jim Salamanis--also from Australia, Jim exudes so much energy across the entire planet that no one can possibly miss it! Jim sent countless emails out to fans all over the world for weeks on end. Thank you Jim for all your amazing support!
And Dave Thomas—my film-making, writer-director-of-all-things “whimming” who disguises himself as an entertainment attorney by day. What would I ever do without you, dude?
Last but not least, Donna Spencer—our copy editor who hopped on the bus in faith it would all happen. Ready Donna? The bus stops at your place next!
As we move forward, please, everyone, make sure that you sign up for BOTH the newsletter AND the daily blogs. The newsletter will only be put out once a month at most, but the blog will hit your email with more immediate news as it happens. Both will be delivered right to your email.
I'll be back with you as news unfolds. For now, we proceed with copy editing. The bus is moving forward...
Thanks everyone!
Johnny Ray Miller
There is still one more photo from Henry Diltz available, and some other offers to look at as we head for the final 2-days left in the campaign.
David and his dog, Bullseye!
Henry Diltz offered a total of 11 photos for the campaign. This is the one remaining photo yet to be seen. It is David with his beloved dog, Bullseye.
If anyone would still like to pick any of the previous special offers, they are back on the table through the close of the campaign. Each 8 X 10 photo is $35 for new backers, and $30 for current backers. Henry also offered us a limited number of signed 11 X 14's as well. Of the limited quantity offered, there are only 4 slots left. The signed versions are $225 for new backers and $195 for current backers. Please send me a note if you choose the 11 X 14 signed version so I can confirm that there is availability.
"Home Is Where The Heart Is" photo outtake.
David on horse, from the "Cherish" photo sessions.
Quintessetial David!
David playing Eukele!
"Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes" photo outtake. 1973.
David promoting "Keep Australia Beautiful" campaign.
For our final offer, we have the "Whale Song" Bundle. You get a lyric sheet commemorative of "Whale Song" along with one of the hand-written lyric sheets, written and signed by Marty Kaniger, for $250. These are quite special in that BOTH of the songwriters who wrote this song have signed BOTH the commemoratives and the hand-written lyric sheets.
"Whale Song" lyric commemorative, signed by BOTH songwriters, Dan Peyton and Marty Kaniger.
"Whale Song" hand-written lyrics. Written by Marty Kaniger and signed by Marty Kaniger and Dan Peyton.
"Whale Song" was one of the rare times Shirley Jones sang solo on the show, and certainly the most memorable. It has become one of the most-requested unreleased songs. The story behind "Whale Song" is also one of the most intriguing stories behind any of the Partridge Family songs! Guaranteed to surprise and engage!
Thank you, my good friends, supporters and incredible songwriters, Marty Kaniger and Dan Peyton for this one! We are so grateful!
This is the 2nd of the final three photos that will be offered during the final week of the campaign, courtesy of Henry Diltz.
David Cassidy in his pool, July 1973. From the sessions that produced "Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes."
This great shot of David was taken at his home while hanging out with Henry by the pool. The photo is from 1973, and it's one of the session outtakes for David's "Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes" LP--the 3rd Cassidy solo album, and the one that reflected David's real personality and musical interests at that time.
For new backers, pledge $35 and you will receive an 8 X 10 high resolution print, or in Henry's EXTREMELY rare offer, you can choose a signed 11 X 14 for only $225! If you are a current backer, you can add the 8 X 10 to your pledge for only $30, and the signed 11 X 14 for only $195! THE SIGNED 11 X 14'S ARE LIMITED TO ONLY 3!
This 48-hour offer is good until midnight, May 29, 2015! We need to put the campaign OVER THE TOP! We are at 92% of our funding goal with three days to go! Hop on the bus, everyone! Let's publish "When We're Singin'!"
Today I spoke with Henry Diltz.
He said in no uncertain terms he wants to see this campaign WIN!
In an extraordinary gesture, Henry has offered three more photos for the final week of the campaign, to be offered in the coming days, beginning today! But here's the most unbelievable part:
Mr. Diltz has graciously offered a select number of additional SIGNED 11 X 14's!
I have to tell you my friends, after seeing these photos myself, they are far more gorgeous and extraordinary in print, and Henry's personal signature is INCREDIBLY striking in a way that I have never seen before.
Diltz is world-renowned as the foremost photographer of the music industry during the late '60s, early '70s and beyond. He has photographed Paul McCartney, Cass Elliot, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Monkees and that's just the beginning! You will never see another offer like this.
This photograph of David Cassidy captures David in his most quintessential look of the decade. It is the face of an icon. It makes us smile. It's the essence of the young and hopeful David Cassidy whose voice has kept an entire generation following him.
For new backers, pledge $35 and you will receive an 8 X 10 high resolution print, or in Henry's EXTREMELY rare offer, you can choose a signed 11 X 14 for only $225! If you are a current backer, you can add the 8 X 10 to your pledge for only $30, and the signed 11 X 14 for only $195!! But hurry--
THE SIGNED 11 X 14'S ARE LIMITED TO ONLY 3!
Not only are these photos a gorgeous keepsake for fans, but they are an INCREDIBLE investment to collectors! The value on one of the signed 11 X 14's is TRIPLE the actual cost! Your value goes up the second you buy it! Please remember: a signed 11 X 14 Henry Diltz goes for $500-$600 out of his studio!
This 48 hour offer expires May 28 at the stroke of midnight! (EST) Hop on the bus, everyone! Let's publish "When We're Singin'!"